Rainbow Snakehead (Channa bleheri) Care Guide
Channa bleheri is a colourful dwarf snakehead endemic to the Brahmaputra basin of northeastern India, a predator best suited to advanced keepers.
Overview
Channa bleheri, the rainbow snakehead, is a dwarf snakehead of the family Channidae. FishBase lists a maximum of about 14.4 cm total length, while Wikipedia cites up to 17 cm standard length. It is among the most colourful snakeheads: juveniles around one centimetre are yellow, and adults bear large orange or red spots. The species is an obligate air-breather.
Taxonomy
- Family: Channidae
- Genus: Channa
- Scientific name: Channa bleheri
- Common synonyms: Bleher's snakehead
Habitat
Endemic to the Brahmaputra River basin in the Indian states of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, with a type locality at Dibrugarh. It is a benthopelagic freshwater fish that mostly dwells near the bottom.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 250 L
- Temperature: 22-26 °C (72-79 °F)
- pH: 6.5-7.5
- GH: 5-15 °dGH
- Tightly fitting lid required (escape-prone)
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
Diet
A carnivore: FishBase places the species at a trophic level of about 3.6. In aquaria it should be offered meaty foods such as earthworms, prawn and suitable frozen items; wean specimens onto non-live prepared foods where possible.
Compatibility
A predatory, semi-aggressive species generally kept singly or as a conspecific pair in a species tank. Avoid smaller fish that may be eaten and long-finned tankmates. A tight-fitting lid is essential as snakeheads are accomplished jumpers.
Breeding
Wikipedia notes that among dwarf snakeheads C. bleheri is unusual in being a nest-brooder rather than a mouthbrooder. Females initiate courtship and males select nesting sites, with both parents guarding the larvae.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Near Threatened (assessed 2010).